Shuaibu-Gara Gombe hailed for his commitment to athletics development, named as best performing State Association Chairman in Nigeria

Athletics stakeholders hail Shuaibu-Gara Gombe as best performing State Association Chairman in Nigeria

Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, has been hailed by athletics stakeholders as the best performing chairman in Nigeria.

This commendation is coming on the sidelines of weeklong inter-secondary schools athletics and football competition flagged off Tuesday in Gombe, capital of Gombe state, northeastern Nigeria.

Olympian and African Games medalist, Patience Itanyi believes Gara Gombe has been one of just a handful of state Association chairmen that have shown commitment towards the development of the sport at the grassroot level.

‘If there is an award for the most active, best performing and most committed chairman amongst all the 37 we have in Nigeria, Gara Gombe should be the overwhelming choice,’ said Itanyi, who won the Heptathlon silver medal at the 1999 African games.

Athletics statistician Samuel Fatunla shares in Itanyi’s sentiments.

‘Gara Gombe is no doubt fulfilling the expectations of Gombe state government who made him chairman of the State’s Athletics Association and we should all commend his commitment towards fulfilling these expectations, ‘ said Fatunla who as chairman of Ekiti State Athletics Association, sponsored the Kayode Oluyemi Athletics competition for over five years and ensured athletes in the state did not miss any national event, including the National Sports Festival.

Respected journalist, Afolabi Gambari says Shuaibu-Gara Gombe is a perfect example of a self-motivated and patriotic Nigerian who goes out of his way to make the country a better place, especially with focus on youth development.

‘His latest focus to bring attention to a far-flung Gombe State in terms of youth and sports development is one of the most commendable acts that the philanthropist has done in recent years because he has not only brought people from all walks of life to the state, but has also attracted scouts to unearth the plethora of sports talents in the state.

‘In February 2023, Alhaji Gombe organised the first ever inter-primary school athletics competition in the state to help discover children that the state could nurture to glory in the future. The huge success recorded at the maiden event has led to the week-long inter-secondary schools athletics and football competition currently going on in the state capital.

‘One of the highlights of the latest competition, organised by Green-White-Green in conjunction with the Gombe State Athletics Association, is the presence of former Nigeria international, Andrew Uwe, who flew in from his Germany base in company of his foreign partners to scout talents in the football competition,’ said Afolabi.